Dr Vijaysegaran is also involved in the Australian Orthopaedic Association’s Outreach Program, leading medical outreach trips to Fiji regularly to help the local community.
The program involves Australian volunteer orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, and other allied health professionals who visit Fiji and other Pacific Islands to provide both surgical services and training to local medical staff. Their goals include treating conditions from trauma, infection, and congenital defects, improving the skills of local doctors, and empowering them to provide better care independently.
About the program
- Who they are: A non-profit organization supported by the Australian Orthopaedic Association, comprised of volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and other alliead health professionals.
- What they do:
- Surgical services: Provide surgeries to treat patients with trauma, infection, tumors, and congenital issues like clubfoot.
- Training: Teach and train local medical personnel to improve their knowledge and skills.
- Emphasis on empowerment: Work to empower local communities and doctors to manage health situations independently in the long term.
- Funding: The program relies on funding from the Australian Orthopaedic Association and donations to cover costs such as medical equipment and travel expenses for experts.
Impact in Fiji
- Surgical training programs: Have established training programs in Fiji to enhance the skills of local surgeons.
- Direct patient care: Medical teams provide direct care in remote areas, addressing conditions that would otherwise go untreated.
- Community engagement: They work closely with local leaders and medical staff to ensure their efforts are collaborative and sustainable.
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